After South Carolina's 38-10 win over SC State, there were a few more concerns than celebrations. The scoreboard may have leaned heavily in the Gamecocks' favor, but the injury report kept growing as the game unfolded on Saturday night in Columbia.
Defensive backs Jalon Kilgore and Judge Collier were already ruled out prior to kickoff. Once play began, after a lengthy weather delay, the attrition started to pile up. Brandon Cisse, Vicari Swain, Markee Anderson, Jaquel Holman, Brady Hunt, and Josiah Thompson all left the game with injuries, thinning the Gamecock depth across multiple position groups.
Head coach Shane Beamer didn't sugarcoat it after the game.
“It’ll be too long to name, guys, so don’t even ask ... It’s not good. Obviously, we were down Jalon Kilgore going into the game. Brandon Cisse got hurt early in the game. Our third-team nickel is Jaquel Holman, he got hurt in the first quarter. We were literally down to our fourth nickel. We had some other injuries as it went: Brady Hunt, Josiah Thompson, the [defensive backs]. I’ll have a better answer for you (Sunday) night on the teleconference.”
South Carolina still managed to control most of the game after a slow start with some questionable plays. The team leaned heavily on LaNorris Sellers and a defense that limited big play. But the injuries for the Gamecocks left fans and coaches uneasy about the weeks ahead, especially with SEC play beginning next weekend.
For now, the Gamecocks will wait for the official update on the damage done on Saturday night. A win may feel hollow if South Carolina's depth continues to be tested this early in the season.